Drift

The Unmooring of American Military Power

By: Rachel Maddow

Narrated by: Rachel Maddow

Length: 7 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

The #1 New York Times bestseller that charts America’s dangerous drift into a state of perpetual war. "One of my favorite ideas is, never to keep an unnecessary soldier," Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1792. Neither Jefferson nor the other Found­ers could ever have envisioned the modern national security state, with its tens of thousands of "privateers"; its bloated Department of Homeland Security; its rust­ing nuclear weapons, ill-maintained and difficult to dismantle; and its strange fascination with an unproven counterinsurgency doctrine.

Written with bracing wit and intelligence, Rachel Maddow's Drift argues that we've drifted away from America's original ideals and become a nation weirdly at peace with perpetual war, with all the financial and human costs that entails. To understand how we've arrived at such a dangerous place, Maddow takes us from the Vietnam War to today's war in Afghanistan, along the way exploring the disturbing rise of executive authority, the gradual outsourcing of our war-making capabilities to private companies, the plummeting percentage of American families whose children fight our constant wars for us, and even the changing fortunes of G.I. Joe. She offers up a fresh, unsparing appraisal of Reagan's radical presidency. Ultimately, she shows us just how much we stand to lose by allowing the priorities of the national security state to overpower our political discourse.

Sensible yet provocative, dead serious yet seri­ously funny, Drift will reinvigorate a "loud and jangly" political debate about how, when, and where to apply America's strength and power--and who gets to make those decisions.

©2012 Rachel Maddow (P)2012 Random House

Critic reviews

"Thank Ms. Maddow for picking this and every other fight that Drift provokes. It will be a smarter public debate than the kinds we're used to." (Janet Maslin, New York Times)

"Maddow’s distinctive voice in Drift is highly intelligent, often incredulous and intermittently and humorously profane...Her thesis, which is passionately and effectively articulated, remind[s] us of how far we have drifted from linking the sacrifices of our armed forces around the world to the citizens at home they so selflessly serve… Maddow…[has] provided readers with a timely and perhaps necessary provocation to examine the far-reaching consequences of the American way of war." (Gordon M. Goldstein, Washington Post)

"Crosses partisan lines and deals with issues that deserve a healthy debate...A compelling, intelligent read filled with Maddow's trademark wit." (Mary Houlihan, Chicago Sun-Times)

Top rating, all the way through.

What made the experience of listening to Drift the most enjoyable?

I happen to be one who likes the Rachel Maddow delivery. I also like the well executed thread and links between people and events. It is my recommendation to everyone. It should be interesting no matter what partisanship.

Which character – as performed by Rachel Maddow – was your favorite?

Rachel Maddow

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, it was very difficult to put down.

Any additional comments?

There are not many 2nd listen books for me but this certainly will warrant another time through.

Sane assessment of US military

Rachel keeps it interesting, but she isn't afraid to get into the weeds of legislation, politics, agency structure, and spending. Only disappointment, she gives the 9/11 wars scant coverage.

Pulling Back The Curtain

Very well presented and thorough dive into the history of this nations relationship with War. Even though I served in the military I learned a lot and appreciate the examination of the toll on those who serve and their families.

A great read

Finished “Blowout “ then found this book. Another powerful story. Rachel Maddow presents a gripping tail of how he USA came to develop a massive military complex and the dangers to our society by maintaining such a large army. The continuous wars we have been in reminds me of Orwell’s 1984.

Amazingly engaging.

What made the experience of listening to Drift the most enjoyable?

Rachel Maddow is a rare combination of engaging and substantive.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

This is an important subject told in a way that could be understood and even enjoyed.

Which scene was your favorite?

Incredible that we may have lost track of the knowledge of how we made some of our weapons.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I am astonished and quite alarmed by the description of how easily we might accidentally set off an aging missile in our vast stockpile.

Any additional comments?

Brava Rachel Maddow!

Fascinating info average people like me don't know

I knew sketchy things happened around "secret" wars or "not so secret wars" but I had no idea to what degree until I listened to this extremely well researched book. I had no idea all presidents take part in it. This book is methodical and mostly chronological on how presidents and political figures have conducted their wars and hidden so much from Congress and the American public. I love Rachel Maddow and her show so listening to her for 7+ hours was lovely too. She is able to explain complicated issues in a simple way I can understand. It was reassuring to hear all the corrupted things that have happened in the past, especially under Nixon and Regan considering our current political climate under Trump. All presidents do sketchy things, some wayyyyyyyy more messed up than others and yet, things eventually come to light.

liberal view of the American milititary

Any additional comments?

A liberal view of the american military/ industrial complex. It is a very eye opening book.

Great Book

Would you consider the audio edition of Drift to be better than the print version?

Love that Rachel does her own narrative.. Great history of the US military.

What other book might you compare Drift to and why?

First military history I've read.

Have you listened to any of Rachel Maddow’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The squarndering of American might.

Any additional comments?

None.

Enlightening!

As a non-US citizen, this was extremely interesting and put a lot of fragments of memories starting from the Reagan era into context.
And it's all about responsibility and balance, really. In the world, I mean.

Shocking!

Where does Drift rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The best book I ever listened to. To hear it from the author just sends it over the top.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Drift?

The detailing of the Abrams doctrine was eye opening!

Have you listened to any of Rachel Maddow’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Rules, what rules. Presidents don't need them.